In
The purpose of KY middle school seemed to be; make a place where students can grow into their new hormone fertilized body parts without the academic expectations of elementary or high school. This observation may be a little short sighted on my part but I left middle school a little jaded, what can I say?
Why I left: The kids had nothing to do with it.
With the normal exceptions THE KIDS were pretty alright. It was a gift to see eighth graders come in as little kids, basically still elementary students, and leave ready for high school. Many of them come an unbelievably long way in nine months. Watching and aiding that transition kept me there for three years. What I couldn’t take any longer was the “middle school mentality”.
The “Mentality”.
The structure of middle school, for me, was intense. Every move of every kid had to be watched. They all needed to be kept in check at all times. Line up for lunch, single file to the auditorium, no one dismissed from school until your bus arrives etc… It was a stifling atmosphere for me, and I thought for students as well. Every minute of every day was scripted, if you had five minutes it was snatched so you could monitor that hallway or this bathroom. Students came into middle school with a need for structure and it worked well in the sixth grade. But as the kids get older and ready for more responsibility they lash out against oppressive structure and it causes needless conflict between students, teachers and administration than is healthy. The structure becomes the enemy and the teachers and administration represent that structure, an “us against them mentality” develops. Teachers and students alike buy into this way of thinking and the conflict over it evolved into way of life. I felt a tremendous pressure to conform, not conforming put me into an exhausting no mans land almost alone. I slowly learned to pick my battles but was tired of fighting every battle alone or with very little support. So I took my secondary school training and left for high school.
Part II High School…
6 comments:
Oh. My. God. Smithie! It's like you and I were twins!
I have vented about the "Middle School Philosophy" a million times at my place. (And really, is it a philosophy, since it has nothing to do with knowledge?)
It was one of the more frustrating places I have ever worked (and I have had MANY a frustrating job).
Upon more reflection I think maybe re-creating Junior high school with no sixth grade and maybe even put 9th graders back in Jr. High, especially since so many districts are going to "9th grade schools" (at least in KY) anyway.
We do middle school the same way in our town, and at my school, but without what sounds like a terribly stifling atmosphere. I like the team teaching concept, mainly because I am blessed to be working with a great team. We're all around the same age, and even though we come from very different places, we have a very similar philosophy. And, we try to convey a "we're all in this together" mentality to the kids, so big conflicts are few and far between.
Actually, it's the PARENTS who make me nuts.
What saddens me (and this is not a guilt trip thing) is that it sounds like a middle school just lost a very good and dedicated teacher. That's a shame. Many new teachers (or soon to be new ones: I've met a bunch since returning to school last year) either have that gung-ho elementary spirit, or they want the rigor of a high school curriculum. Most teachers won't touch middle school with a ten meter pole and a haz-mat suit. It's sad. Middle school kids really need a certain kind of teacher: the compassionate, passionate kind, and that sounds like you.
I used to feel that way when I was an adjunct: now, after just completing Year Eight, I love middle school teaching, and wouldn't go back to teaching high school, which I did for a number of years (now, if they were to give me a professor's job at the community college, I might consider leaving, but...).
Anyway, best of luck in your new digs.
Thanks for the words QD. I hope that I can be half the teacher those in the blogsphere perceive me to be.
Honestly I think I'm a high school teacher who was crammed into a middle school teaching position. I'm happier where I am over all. And, while I do miss the support of the team I like it on my own quite a bit. I look up to middle school teachers and know that those who are successful are made to be there and it sounds like you are cut from that rare mold. I do think more teachers should try middle school, I think they would be suprised at what they find. Besides the look of utter pity, admiration and awe you get from folks, especially other teachers, when you say "yeah I taught middle school." is well worth the gig.
When I tell folks I teach at a middle school, they usually bug their eyes and ask me if I'm crazy...
Ahh the bug eyes of admiration...
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